Hinged Tailgate Bridge for Debris Gap Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The gap between a truck bed and tailgate often becomes filled with debris during unloading, leading to potential damage or failure of the tailgate to close properly, as there are no existing devices to prevent materials from becoming stuck in this space.
Innovation Solution
A hinged tailgate bridge with an angled bridge plate and pivotable tabs that attach to the truck bed, allowing the bridge plate to pivot and change angles, thereby covering the gap between the tailgate and truck bed, and including a glide plate for smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If no device is installed to cover the gap, then the tailgate can close freely, but debris becomes stuck in the gap causing damage or preventing proper closure
Solution Approach 1:
A bridge plate is introduced as an intermediary component that spans the gap between the truck bed and tailgate. This mediator prevents debris from entering the gap while allowing the tailgate to close properly, thus improving reliability without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge plate is made pivotable through hinge connections to the truck bed, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position. The bridge plate can pivot between a first position (when tailgate is open) and a second position (when tailgate is closed), enabling the system to adapt to different tailgate states while maintaining debris prevention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed bridge plate is used to cover the gap, then debris is prevented from entering, but the device cannot adapt to different tailgate positions
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge plate is converted from a fixed structure to a dynamic one by adding hinge connections. This allows the bridge plate to pivot and adapt to different tailgate positions (open or closed) while maintaining its debris-blocking function, achieving adaptability with moderate manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bridge plate is divided into multiple sections (first bridge plate section and second bridge plate section) connected by hinges, allowing each segment to move independently. This segmentation enables the structure to adapt to different configurations while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular construction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the bridge plate is made pivotable to adapt to tailgate positions, then adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bridge plate incorporates hinge connections that enable pivotal movement, allowing it to adapt to different tailgate positions. The dynamic design provides adaptability while keeping the mechanism simple enough that the increase in device complexity remains manageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for bridging a gap between a tailgate and a truck bed may include an angled bridge plate having a first plate section and a second plate section, wherein the second plate section extends from the first plate section at an angle. A first tab may extend from a first side edge of the first section of the bridge plate, and a second tab may extend from a second side edge of the first section of the bridge plate. The device may also include a first bed hinge configured to attach to a surface of the truck bed adjacent to the gap, wherein the first tab is configured to pivotably engage with the first bed hinge, and a second bed hinge configured to attach to the truck bed adjacent to the gap, wherein the second tab is configured to pivotably engage with the second bed hinge.